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AppleWorks Document | 1986-05-15 | 19KB | 301 lines

O===========================================|=================================== PARENT VISITORS' GUIDE Escuela Caribe Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic WHEN TO COME F When you decide to visit your son or daughter, kindly clear this G Ethrough Tim or Pastor Blossom in the Marion office (800-458-9127) at I Gleast 30 - 60 days in advance. This is not only for their records and K Iinformation, but in case they may need to ask you to escort new students K Ior staff or bring some packages with you. (In most instances it is best L Jto wait until the student has been in the program at least five months.) D BWhen plans are firm and reservations are made, please inform Jeff K IValerio of the dates of your planned visit and your time of arrival. We F Dwill have the student call you in the week prior to your arrival to G Ereconfirm the date, flight, and time. To avoid disappointment, make E Cyour plane reservations one or two months in advance. Dominicana, K IEastern, and American are the main carriers. Parents may visit for four nights and five days. F When traveling to a foreign country, it is always best to have a H Fpassport. The D.R. will, however, accept a voter's registration card F Dand/or a birth certificate as sufficient identification (they don't F Daccept a driver's license as proof of citizenship). When you first G Earrive, you will be required to pay $5.00 US for a tourist card. An B @exit fee of $20.00 US will also be required at the time of your departure. ARRIVAL G You will either enter the country at Santo Domingo (Aeropuerto de J HLas Americas) or at Puerto Plata's International Airport. Flights from K Ithe U.S. arrive in the late afternoon or early evening. If you have not H Falready purchased a tourist card, you will need to buy one as soon as I Gyou enter the terminal building. Keep this card with you at all times E Cas you will not be permitted to leave the country without it. The 8 following are some of the terms you will need to know: nombre completo - full name$ fecha de nacimento - date of birth estado civil - marital status ocupacion - occupation* direccion permanente - permanent addressE Cdireccion en la Republicia - address in Dom. Rep. (Escuela Caribe, Jarabacoa)D Bpuerto de embarque - port of embarkation (Santo Domingo or Puerto Plata)8 motivo del viaje - purpose of trip (recreo - pleasure) firma - signature PARENT VISITORS' GUIDE APRIL 15, 1986 PAGE G After you enter the building, stand in a line labeled "Visitor's" J Hwhere your passport and tourist card will be checked. Depending on the C Anumber of people in line this could take between five and thirty J Hminutes. Make sure all your documents are returned to you and that you H Fhave a copy of your tourist card before you go into the baggage claim area. I From there proceed to the baggage claim area. If you should happen G Enot to receive all your luggage, be sure to fill out a baggage claim H Fimmediately. (It is best to have your valuables, cameras, etc. and a E Cchange of clothes in your hand-carry bag.) Carry all currency and " travelers checks on your person. H Now proceed to have luggage inspected. Unzip or open all luggage, K Ipackages, purses and bags. Everything will be checked. Be sure to keep I Gyour eye on the inspector because they might try to take something for E Cthemselves. Once your luggage has been inspected make sure that a J Hsticker is placed on piece. Go to the glass doors where another 8 inspector will check each bag and remove the stickers. E Usually, there will be someone there to meet you as soon as you E Cleave customs. If you arrive on Tuesday through Saturday, a staff J Hmember will probably escort your son or daughter to the airport to meet K Iyou. We cannot guarantee escorts to the airport for arrivals on Sundays I Gor Mondays. If you do not find anyone to meet you as planned, use the J Hpublic telephone to call us (go upstairs in Santo Domingo or outside at I GPuerto Plata). The office number is 574-2760; the telephone operators H Fspeak English. It is better to stay in Puerto Plata or Santo Domingo the night of your arrival. I You will be expected to reimburse the staff person for any expenses I Gincluding transportation, meals and hotel room (if it is necessary for I Gthe staff member to stay overnight) which have been incurred in coming to meet you. TAXI SERVICE E Airport taxis will take you to any location in Santo Domingo or K IPuerto Plata. Or if you wish, you can contract a taxi for an entire car B @to Jarabacoa for approximately 150 pesos. You might be able to G Enegotiate a better price. Expect some difficulty if you do not speak 4 Spanish, but sign language and patience will help. Approximate Fares: (pesos = RD currency) Airport to Santo Domingo $30-40 RD for entire car 3/4 hourA Santo Domingo to LaVega $8-10 RD per person 2 hours@ LaVega to Jarabacoa $2 RD per person 3/4 hour Airport to Puerto Plata $15-25 RD for entire car 15 minutes@ Puerto Plata to LaVega $5 RD per person 2 hours RENTAL CARS I We suggest that you rent a car. This gives you more freedom to see K Ithe country and the sights. You will notice many car rental agencies as J Hyou exit from customs. We do not wish to recommend any one because all H Fare more or less equal. You can expect to pay $70-120 RD per day and H F$.12-.20 RD a kilometer or more, depending on the size of the car and F Dthe comfort you desire. Most cars available are small European and H FJapanese models. Some agencies rent cars with unlimited mileage. You G Eshould make arrangements through a travel agent in the States if you ' want to be sure to have a rental car. MAPS AND TRAFFIC LAWS G A map of Santo Domingo and the Dominican Republic may be obtained I Gfrom the rental car companies at the airport. Other maps are provided J Hin this material to assist you in your travel. Please be sure to bring J Hthis visitor's guide and enclosed materials with you when you come. If E Cyou are driving, keep the following things in mind: most laws and E Ctraffic control regulations are the same as you are accustomed to; D Bhowever, there are a few exceptions. If a policeman is directing H Ftraffic, you must when he is facing you or when his back is to J Hyou. You may pass only when he turns his side to you. Hand signals or J Hauto signals are expected when stopping or turning. Use caution at all C Aintersections even when you clearly have the right-of-way. The G EDominican driver pays little regard to stop signs . You will notice ; that drivers use their horns much more than their brakes. C Round trip air fare from Chicago is approximately $600 US per G Eperson. Hotels, rental car, food, entertainment, etc. are variable, J Hanywhere from $50-200 RD per person for a five day visit. You would be D Bwise to check into charter service and/or package deals. You can J Hsometimes get a package deal for the price of round trip airfare if you J Hplan far enough in advance. Please note that all prices listed in this C Aguide are approximate and you can expect changes due to currency H Ffluctuation, the season, and/or the demand for accomidation. (Prices F Dare always higher during the Winter Season from December 15th until April 15th.) CURRENCY AND RATES OF EXCHANGE H Once you land in the Dominican Republic, all prices are in pesos. K IYou will want to exchange your dollars as soon as possible. One hundred K I"centavos" equal one Dominican peso. The dollar is universally accepted I Gas a medium of exchange. The exchange rate varies but it is currently I Galmost three pesos for one dollar. We will be happy to show you where ; you can exchange your money when you arrive in Jarabacoa. DRINKING WATER B The most common ailment suffered by Americans in the D.R. is F Ddiarrhea. To lessen the possibility of getting diarrhea, tap water J Hshould be avoided, and possibly raw vegetables and fruit. Water served I Gat the better restaurants is generally purified. You may want to have H Fyour family doctor prescribe an anti-spasmodic for you to bring along just in case. WEATHER I The temperature in Jarabacoa ranges from 75{-85{ during the day and G Efrom 60{-70{ at night, depending on the time of year. LaVega, Santo G EDomingo and most of the rest of the country average about 10{ warmer I Gthan Jarabacoa. Unless you are from the southern states, the days will I Gfeel quite warm; evenings in Jarabacoa may be chilly to you. You will F Dwant to keep this in mind when packing. Cool, casual sportswear is K Iquite appropriate and a sweater or light jacket may be needed. Also you F Dmight want to take a change or two of dress clothes for appropriate D Boccasions although dress for the most part is casual but modest. K I(Shorts are not generally acceptable in public areas except at a pool or beach.) CULTURE I The Dominican culture and environment are much different from those K Iin the U.S. Therefore, we would like to give you some information about - The country so you will be better prepared. F The rolling mountains, with the lush, green vegetation from pine I Gtrees to palm trees, are truly beautiful. Many of the beaches too are I Gvery beautiful. Despite the beauty that nature provides, however, the J Hphysical conditions are not quite as good. The country is inhabited by F Dmany poor people who live in "shacks" and whose children may not be F Dwearing clothes. Horses, donkeys, and cattle may roam the business E Cdistricts of towns. The aroma of garbage in street gutters may be E Capparent at times. A variety of bugs prosper well in the tropical J Hclimate. Spiders, cockroaches, flies, moths, mosquitos, and chameleons are common annoyances. D Because you are an American, your presence in the country will I Gcreate some attention. Although some people may be rude at times, you H Fare never in danger. You will soon grow accustomed to the stares and I G"hey, you" that you hear. In keeping cultural expectations, we advise I Gthat females dress modestly (no shorts or flimsy blouses) so as not to $ draw more attention to themselves. HOTEL ACCOMODATIONS In Santo Domingo ILA CIUDADELA APARTAHOTEL. 17 apartments. Linen service. Fully-equipped F Dkitchens. Airconditioning. Centrally located in quiet residential F Darea. RD$75.00/double. Correa y Cidron Street, almost corner Alma F DMater. Two blocks from Av. Independencia and 3 from Malecon. Tel. 567-7006. GHOTEL COMERCIAL. Serving tourists since 1955. Located in the heart of J Hthe colonial city and the El Conde shopping district. A block from the C Afirst cathedral in the Americas. 75-air-conditioned rooms. TV, ? =telephone. Restaurant, cafeteria. Laundry service, Tours. F DRD$35.00/single; RD$45.00/double, plus tax. Calle El Conde, corner ' Hostos. P.O. Box 787. Santo Domingo. DHOSTAL NICOLAS DE OVANDO. Stay at the colonial palace of the first J Hgovernor of the New World. Experience the splendor of the 16th century @ >and the conquistadors, yet all the conveniences of today. 55 I Gair-conditioned rooms, with telephone and TV. Extremadura restarant. F D200 meters from the Columbus Alcazar. Tours. RD$205.70/double and I GRD$181.50/single, including tax. Las Damas 53. Tel. 687-3101. Major credit cards. CHOTEL CARIBE I. European-style management. Centrally-located, 36 > <air-conditioned rooms with telephone. Renowned Italian and D Binternational cuisine restaurant. Home-made pastas. BBQ Grill. @ >Rooftop pool with panoramic view. Daily tours to the beach. F DRD$125/single; RD$134/double, including tax. Av. Maximo Gomez/Juan " Sanchez Ramirez. Tel. 688-8141. IPLAZA FLORDIA. 32 apartments sold as hotel rooms. Centrally located in I Ga residential area. Kitchen, TV/cable. Laundry service. Pool use at J Hnearby Hotel Comodoro. Near supermarkets. Restraurant. Accommodations G Efrom RD$68.90 to RD$84.80, including tax, per night, for standard to I Gsupersuite apartments for up to five persons. Av. Bolivar corner Lic. ) Armando Rodriguez St. Tel. 689-0151-54. FHOTEL COMODORO. Located in a residential area of Santo Domingo, near ? =everything, the Comodoro features 87 air-conditioned rooms. F DRefrigerators in rooms. TV/cable. Laundry service. Pool, meeting J Hfacilities for up to 300 persons. Disco. Restaurant-cafeteria. About D BRD$115.00/single, plus taxes. RD$130.00/double, plus taxes. 193 Bolivar Ave. Tel. 687-7141. DSHERATON HOTEL. 260 air-conditioned rooms. George Washington Ave. E CMagnificent ocean view. Swimming pool, tennis court. Restaurant, K Icafeteria. Sauna, radio/TV, rental cars, sightseeing tours, gift shop. ! US$80.00/double. Tel. 685-5151. IHOTEL SANTO DOMINGO. 250 air-conditioned rooms. Independencia Ave. On L Jthe Caribbean Sea. Swimming pool, tennis court. Restaurant, cafeteria. ? =Sauna, radio/TV, rental cars, sightseeing tours, gift shop. # US$85-100/double. Tel. 532-1511. In Puerto Plata >PLAYA DORADA HOTEL. 253 air-conditioned rooms. Recreational G Efacilities. Radio/TV/cable. Gift shop. (This is the Holiday Inn) US$100/double. 586-3988. VILLAS DORADAS. Complete facilities. US$100/double. 586-3000. EJACK TAR VILLAGE. 200 air-conditioned rooms. Package deal includes A ?food, maybe a little more expensive. Recreational facilities, 6 restaurant, sightseeing tours, gift shop. 586-3800. HOTEL MONTEMAR 586-2800 $100 US double/per night FHOTEL CARACOL. Ocean front hotel. All-inclusive rates include three F Dmeals. 34 air-conditioned rooms. TV/cable. Restaurants-terrace. F DSemi-olympic size pool. Rent-a-cars, gift shop. Tours. Horseback 8 riding. Malecon. Tel. 586-2588. Major credit cards. EHOTEL CASTILLA. Downtown Puerto Plata. Original Victorian house 17 K Irooms with fan. Restaurant, RD$27.00/single plus tax; RD$45/double plus * tax. 34 J.F. Kennedy St. Tel. 586-2559. ICOSTAMBAR BEACH RESORT. Your home away from home. One, 2 and 3 bedroom J Hoceanside villas and apartments with ocean view. Fully-equipped, daily I Glinen service. From US$100. Costambar, Puerto Plata, Tel. 586-3828. 9 In New York, 90-50 55th Ave., Elmhurst, New York 11373. In Jarabacoa BPINAR DORADO HOTEL. Located on the outskirts of Jarabacoa with a I Gbeautiful view of nearby Mt. Magote. Restaurant. Pool. Comunal TV. J HRD$60 double/per night. With a choice of air-conditioned or fan cooled F rooms. 574-2820 (for reservations call 689-5105 in Santo Domingo). EHOTEL HOGAR. Centrally located. RD$12-16/double. Dominican style, : clean, homey. Authentic Dominican style food. 574-2739 In Santiago HHOTEL SANTIAGO CAMINO REAL. Get to know Santiago while staying at this J Hcentrally located downtown hotel. 72 comfortable air-conditioned rooms F Dwith TV/Cable and telephones in rooms. Caters to visiting business F Dpeople. Restaurant, night lounge with panoramic view of the second I Glargest city in he country. Meeting facilities for up to 250 people. J HOperated by the same management company as the Santo Domingo Sheraton. G RD$70/double room. Calle El Sol. Tel. 583-4361. Major credit cards. HHOTEL DON DIEGO. This is the most distinguished hotel in all the area. G EFully carpeted. 36 air-conditioned rooms. Back up power in case of F Dpower failure. Pool. Tennis. Cafeteria. Color TV. Av. Estrella Sadhala. Tel. 582-7186. In Sosua @APARTAHOTEL ALCAZAR. Spanish architecture. 12 rooms with fan, L Jkitchenette. Pool. Snack Bar. Breakfast available. Near Sosua Beach. L JTransportation to airport. English, Italian, French and Spanish spoken. 4 2 Dr. Rosen St., El Batey, Sosua. Tel. 571-2512. JAUBERGE DU VILLAGE INN. Cozy and quiet. Seven rooms, individual baths. G ESurrounded by a tropical garden. Fans, pool. Breakfast available. K INear the center of Sosua. US$25.00. 8 Dr. Rosen St., El Batey, Sosua. Tel. 571-2569. FNORTH SHORE HOTEL. New. 28 air-conditioned rooms. Fans, pool, gift J Hshop, rent-a-cars. Tours. Located on Sosua's restaurant row. Walking distance from beach. ISOSUASOL. Tranquil paradise, ideal for families. 25 typical bohios and J H4 caba|as. Kitchenettes. Ceiling fans. Restaurant, cafeteria. Seven H Fminute walk to Sosua Beach. RD$60.00/single, RD$72.00/double. Alejo G Martinez St., El Batey, Sosua. Tel. 571-2334. Master Card and Visa. DHOTEL YAROA. Attractive tropical architecture. 24 air-conditioned L Jrooms. Opened January 1986. Rooftop panoramic view, pool. Restaurant. J HWalking distance from Sosua Beach. English, Spanish, French and German J Hspoken. US$30.00 for non-residents; RD$52.90 for Dominican residents. D Dr. Rosen St. El Batey, Sosua. Tel. 571-2651. Major credit cards. FHOTEL SOSUA. For those desiring personal attention and a hotel whose K Iloyal guests return time and time again. Small and tropical style, near G Ethe beach. 24 air-conditioned rooms. Cafeteria and kitchennetes in G Erooms. Swimming pool, tours, communal TV. US$29 for non-residents, J HRD$46 for Dominican residents. Dr. Alejo Martinez Street, Sosua. Tel. 571-2683. TOURIST INFORMATION CVS LOCATIONS Dominican Tourist Information Center Escuela Caribe: 485 Madison Avenue Pinar QuemadoJ New York, New York 10022 Jarabacoa, Dominican RepublicF (212) 826-0750 West Indies(809) 574-2760 Dominican Republic Tourist Office Jeffrey J. Valerio, Director= 1038 Brickell Avenue Luis Gomez UribeJ Miami, Florida 33131 Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic8 (305) 371-2813 West Indies; (809) 574-2625 Jeff Seabrooke, Dean of MenA 18 Gaston F. DeligneJ Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic8 West Indies; (809) 574-2878